Federal program to provide free meals for New Bedford schools

Beginning next year all students in the city's public school will receive free breakfast and lunch regardless of family income levels.

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By CAROL KOZMA

southcoasttoday.com

By CAROL KOZMA

Posted May. 21, 2014 at 1:37 PM
Updated May 21, 2014 at 7:04 PM

By CAROL KOZMA

Posted May. 21, 2014 at 1:37 PM
Updated May 21, 2014 at 7:04 PM

» Social News

NEW BEDFORD— Beginning next year all students in the city's public schools will receive free breakfast and lunch “regardless of family income levels,” the school department announced Wednesday.

“That's so exciting,” said Lina DeJesus, principal at the Abraham Lincoln Elementary School. “So many of our students are struggling to bring in that lunch money.”

DeJesus said the majority of the students in her school already receive free or reduced lunch.

“(Parents) have multiple students and it becomes a hardship,” she said, explaining a full price meal for a few children in schools is about $6, which can add up to $30 a week for lunch.

“That's so much for family on a budget,” she said.

Mayor Jon Mitchell said the announcement was “good news.”

“Studies consistently show that kids who are well nourished learn better,” he said.

“This program in effect removes a barrier to learning that confronts many of our children,” he said.

Patrick Murphy, business manager for the school administration said the meals were available through a federal program.

“It's really any district that has more than the average number of children who are on free or reduced lunch,” he said.

The federal Community Eligibility Provision program offers “a formula that you get reimbursed on every child who gets lunch or breakfast,” Murphy said, which includes food and labor.

The district's elementary schools already have a universal free breakfast, according to a statement by the school administration.

Lunch will now also be offered at no cost in the following private schools: All Saints Catholic School, First Church of the Nazarene, Holy Family Holy Name Catholic School, Saint Francis Xavier, and Nativity Preparatory School.

“About 75% of the approximately 13,600 students enrolled in the New Bedford Public Schools and the five participating private schools are currently eligible for free (about 9,100 students) or reduced-price (about 730 students) meals,” the release stated.